Auburndale Police are working to solve a homicide following the discovery of a victim late Friday.

  • Adam Hilarie, 27, found dead in his apartment Friday
  • Hilarie victim of violent death, officials said
  • Victim left behind a five-year-old daughter

A friend found Adam Hilarie, 27, dead in his apartment on Sunset Avenue Friday around 6:43 p.m., according to Auburndale police.
 
Deputy Chief Andy Ray said Adam Hilarie was a victim of a violent death. He confirmed some electronics were missing from the apartment, and there were no signs that someone broke into the home.  

Detectives working the case currently believe Hilarie was killed between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday.
 
Hilarie's mother, Anna Cruz, said she was worried about Hilarie days before he was killed.

"I told [Angel Cruz, Hilarie's brother] to, please, go message him for me. I’m worried about him," said Anna. "And then [Angel] called me to tell me. It's devastating. I don't know. I don't know who would do this to him."
 
Hilarie’s family held a vigil for him Saturday night. On Sunday they spent much of the afternoon cleaning his one-bedroom apartment.

"There had to have been a a scuffle," said Angel. "My brother is a fighter. I know if something went down, he didn’t go down without a fight."  
 
The family said Adam was a kickboxer. He was also a father, who leaves behind a five-year-old daughter.

Auburndale Police ask that anyone with information on the case please call Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 226-TIPS or Det. Dustin Graham with Auburndale Police at (863) 287-1136.  
 
Hilarie's family has also launched a GoFundMe page to accept donations for the costs of Hilarie's funeral. To help with a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/2kt97gc.

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